Do I need manual or thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)?

Feature Radiators' technical expert, Jason, offers some helpful advice on choosing the best radiator valves for your particular circumstances, regarding both look and efficiency.  He explains the difference between manual and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs).

For more information, visit www.featureradiators.co.uk.

How to turn a central heating radiator into an electric radiator

Electric radiators are an increasingly popular option. Consequently Feature Radiators offers a wide range of electric heater styles including a number of column, cast iron and traditional style radiators as we can provide a DIY electric element kit to convert some of our standard radiators into electric models.

This video shows you how to convert one of our central heating radiators into an electric version with the installation of an electric element. 

All our electric radiators can be controlled via PC, tablet or smartphone using our smart app technology and/or linked to form a centrally controlled electric heating system.  Call our expert team on 01274 567789 for more information or visit www.featureradiators.co.uk.

How efficient are electric radiators?

Feature Radiators are a leading expert in electric radiators and electric heating systems and electric heating is becoming more common in homes in the UK.  So here our expert, Jason, provides a beginners guide to electric radiators, how to judge the efficiency and what choice in electric radiators are now available. 


Feature Radiators offers a huge range of models, sizes and finishes of electric radiators including traditional and contemporary radiators.  We also offer a range of different levels of controls for electric radiators including smart controls to enable radiators to be controlled via PC, tablet or smartphone.


For expert advice on electric radiators, please call our team on 01274 567789 or visit www.featureradiators.co.uk

How warm is your house?

Feature Radiators considers an article written by the BBC that asks the question; should we be turning the thermostats down on our central heating?

“Spring is in the air in the UK, but it will be weeks - if not months - before the nation's radiators switch off. The average indoor temperatures of British houses are creeping up now central heating is the norm, and double glazing and insulation are added to older, draughtier homes.” (Lane, 2011)

The article makes it clear that consumer demand for heating has changed.

“Forty years ago, few houses had central heating, and chilly hallways and spare rooms dragged the average temperature down. Radiators now warm rooms that previous generations wouldn't have heated - corridors, bedrooms, and bathrooms.” (Lane, 2011)

But it appears that lowering room temperatures, or even turning radiators off, isn’t enough to adequately reduce our energy use.

“Dropping it [average indoor temperature] to 16C - the lowest setting in this virtual world - only shaves 7% off carbon emissions. Even if we all get in the habit of wearing woollies inside, this will still feel chillier than usual to most people.” (Lane, 2011)

So what else can we do to reduce our energy consumption, whilst maintaining our home comforts?

“David MacKay, the DECC's chief scientific adviser, practises what he preaches in his once draughty semi-detached 1940s house. As well as adding double glazing and insulation, he has turned the heating right down. He hopes that insulating more homes, smarter thermostats and "the promotion of sweater-wearing by sexy personalities" will encourage more people to follow suit.” (Lane, 2011)

The article makes it clear that energy efficiency gained through increasingly effective technology is key, alongside a good dose of common sense.

“So will smart thermostats and radiator valves help, allowing homeowners to target heat where it's needed at different times in the day? Experts say technology can do only half the job. A smart thermostat is only as smart as the person operating it.” (Lane, 2011)

So get smart. Investment in double-glazing, improved insulation and thermostatic controls will mean an initial financial outlay, but these options can dramatically reduce your carbon emissions as well as your heating bills.

For more information on efficiently heating your home or ways of minimising your energy usage, contact Feature Radiators on 01274 567789, visit them at their West Yorkshire showroom or http://www.featureradiators.co.uk/

Lane, M. (2011). How warm is your home? [Online]. 3 March 2011. Available from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12606943. [Accessed: 21 March 2011]

Radiator valves - Thermostatic or manual?

What are thermostatic valves and what are manual valves and which ones do I need for my radiator?

Feature Radiators, a radiator expert, has provided below some helpful advice for those choosing valves for radiators. There are 2 types of valves available, thermostatic and manual, and this overview of both will enable you to make an informed decision when buying radiator valves.

Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) come with an in-built temperature sensor. The thermostatic valve will maintain the room at the temperature you have selected, by automatically adjusting the heat output from the radiator.

This means that you can make the most of any “free” heat the room receives, such as that from the sun (solar heat gain) or from electrical appliances. As the valve is controlled automatically, it turns itself up and down, ensuring the radiators perform as efficiently as possible and are environmentally friendly as they prevent energy being wasted by overheating a room.

Please be aware that building regulations require TRVs to be used for all new builds except:

- For one pair of valves on a system that can and should be manual, so they can be left fully open at all times. This is needed to allow the system to function properly. Usually such manual valves will be put on the radiator/towel rail in a bathroom or entranceway, as more constant heating is needed in these areas;

- In rooms where there is a room thermostat that controls the boiler.

Although not essential, we recommend TRVs for larger radiators (above 1800 watts, or where the radiator is oversized for the room) and for use in kitchens where temperatures can fluctuate dramatically (due to additional heat from ovens, fridges and other appliances).

Manual valves simply act like taps as they directly control the flow of water into the radiator and consequently how hot the radiator gets. Therefore the amount of heat given out will be constant, regardless of the surrounding room temperature.

Manual valves allow you to turn the heat up or down, but you will need to physically go to the valve to make the adjustment. Manual valves have no labelled settings – simply turn the valve head until the radiator is giving the amount of heat desired. The smallest most discreet valves available are manual valves.

Whether you choose thermostatic or manual valves is up to you (apart from cases where building regulations apply). As a general rule, thermostatic valves tend to be larger than manual valves (as they need to accommodate the thermostatic mechanism) but are more energy efficient. Manual valves on the other hand, tend to be smaller and more discreet, so are often chosen for their neat minimal look.

For more information on valves, or radiators, contact Feature Radiators on 01274 567789 or visit their website http://www.featureradiators.co.uk/